Authorities say a Maryland elementary school teacher sexually assaulted at least eight female students in his third-grade class at Severna Park Elementary School.
According to the indictment: Child Protective Services has interviewed at least eight current and former female students of 44-year-old Matthew Schlegel who say they were sexually abused by the math teacher.
The girls, all of whom are still in elementary school, say Schlegel groped their genitals and touched them under their desks in front of other students.
Schlegel, who is married and has two children, is currently being held without bail.
The documents also state that multiple witnesses told investigators they saw a female student sitting on Schlegel’s lap during class.
The alleged abuse occurred between August 2022 and March 2024.
Schlegel has been charged with 36 offences, including seven counts of second-degree assault and 14 counts of sexual abuse of a minor. He was removed from teaching in March.
Dozens of Schlegel’s family and friends stood behind his client at Tuesday’s bail hearing, with his lawyer, Peter O’Neill, arguing that their supporters were a testament to his client’s “high moral character” and that he should be released.
“They’re trying to stand up for him, even though he’s been charged with the worst crimes,” O’Neill said. Capital Gazette.
But the state has argued Schlegel is dangerous, with one girl allegedly telling investigators, “I still want Mr. Schlegel to be my teacher. I just want him to stop touching me.” WBAL Television.
Circuit Judge Kathleen Vitale was unfazed by O’Neill’s complaint and ruled that Schlegel He remains jailed until his next hearing on June 12.
Vitale acknowledged that the girls’ credibility will ultimately be scrutinized in court, but for now, he should remain behind bars.
Schlegel said, Anne Arundel County School System Since 2008. In 2016, I started working as a teacher at Severna Park Elementary School.
His lawyer did not immediately respond to The Washington Post’s request for comment.
